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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

3 Best VPNs for Pokémon Go | Play Pokémon Safely (2024)

Kristina Perunicic Updated on 17th December 2023 Managing Editor

On July 6th 2016, Pokémon Go was released for the first time - and mayhem ensured. In cities around the world, traffic came to a stop, historical and religious landmarks were mobbed by players, and power bank sales went through the roof.

In response, many governments and businesses restricted access to the game, or banned it completely. Most of these bans remain in place. Meanwhile, the Pokémon Go app has made online fraud incredibly easy.

The last thing you need while you’re in a high stakes battle is to suddenly lose access to the game. Or discover your credit card has been hacked.

Quick Guide: How to Access Pokémon Go with a VPN

  1. Choose a VPN with user-friendly iOS and Android apps. We recommend ExpressVPN, the highest rated VPN in the world.
  2. Install the VPN and connect to a server close to your country, to get the best connection speeds.
  3. Log on to Pokémon Go and get ready to hunt!

Why You Need a VPN for Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go’s popularity has made it a huge headache for governments and businesses around the world. They’ve responded by restricting access to the game, or banning it altogether. This is achieved using a technology called ‘geoblocking’.

To bypass the geoblocks and gain access to Pokémon Go, you need a VPN and GPS Spoofing app. Combined, these two tools will change your location and trick Pokémon Go into thinking you’re somewhere it's available.

We’ll explain more about this in the next section. Before that, however, we need to address some other security issues in Pokémon Go.

Pokémon Go and Data Protection

Pokémon Go is based on users sharing their location, personal information and Google account details. All of this is done on unsecured networks and public wi-fi.

For hackers and cybercriminals, Pokémon Go is a gold mine. All the information and data you’re sharing while playing can be used against you for fraud, identity theft, phishing, and many more attacks. Hackers can steal from you and sell your private information on the black market, to the highest bidder.

A VPN will stop all of this from happening. By installing one on your device and running it in the background while you play, you’ll be completely hidden from hackers. Even while using even the most unsecured networks.

A VPN uses military-grade encryption and other state-of-the-art tools to create a protective tunnel around your data, hiding it from outside tracking. With a VPN, nobody else on the network will even know you’re there. As a result, they won’t be able to hack you or steal your data.

Not all VPNs are powerful enough to protect you without slowing down your internet. This is important to know, because you don't want any annoying lag during an important battle. To help you out, we selected the 5 best VPNs for Pokémon Go.

They're listed below.

How to Access Pokémon Go with a VPN and GPS Spoofing App

Using the same encryption we mentioned above and libraries of private, speed-optimized servers located around the world, a VPN hides your real location and moves it to another country.

For example, if you’re in Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the island of Bali, Indonesia or China, you’ll lose access to Pokémon Go. By using a VPN, you can move the location of your device to a new country where it's still available - like the USA, UK, or most of Europe.

We've written a complete beginners' guide to VPNs that explains how all this works in more detail.

However, because Pokémon Go uses GPS tracking to find Pokémon in your immediate area, you also need to move your GPS location to match your new server. This is called GPS Spoofing.

There are plenty of free GPS Spoofing apps available on iOS and Android. We recommend two in the steps below.

  1. Choose a VPN with easy-to-use iOS and Android apps. ExpressVPN is our top pick and the highest rated VPN out there.
  2. Download & install the VPN onto your phone or tablet.
  3. Connect to a secure server close by to ensure fast connection speeds.
  4. If Pokémon Go is banned in your country, you need to change your GPS location with a GPS spoofing app. We recommend Fake GPS Location for Android and Location Spoofer from Cydia for iOS. Follow the instructions from the app to spoof your GPS location.
  5. Log on to Pokémon Go and get ready to hunt!

That’s Not All a VPN Can Do

So far, we’ve outlined the benefits of using a VPN to access Pokémon Go. But the security and anti-geoblocking benefits of a VPN go far beyond the Pokéworld.

If you live in a country where Pokémon Go is banned or restricted, you probably live with censorship and other government restrictions. By connecting to a VPN server outside your country, you gain access to unrestricted internet free of censorship.

The same technology that bypasses Pokémon Go geoblocks can also be used to access streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. With a VPN, we can enjoy ‘internet without borders’.

A good VPN will also speed up your internet, even as it uses some of your bandwidth. By hiding your online activity from your internet service provider, a VPN allows you to avoid bandwidth throttling - the deliberate slowing down of your internet connection.

The list of benefits and advantages to using a VPN can actually seem endless. Take the time to learn more about them and you’ll never look at internet privacy the same way again.

For now, here are our picks for the very best VPNs that will give you access to Pokémon Go from anywhere in the world.

The 3 Best VPNs for Pokémon Go

To stay safe and connected from anywhere, while playing Pokémon Go, you a need VPN. We’ll show you just how easy it is to set one up, so you can go out into the Pokéworld with peace of mind.

1.ExpressVPN

With the fastest VPN speeds on offer, using ExpressVPN to access Pokémon Go means you never have to worry about your connection slowing down at the wrong time.

ExpressVPN isn't just highly rated for its incredible speeds, however. This provider offers easy-to-use apps that can connect to a huge library of servers in over 160 locations around the world.

ExpressVPN provides users with rock-solid security on public wi-fi, LTE/4G, 3G, and all mobile data carriers. Wherever you're hunting for Pokémon, this VPN will keep you safe.

To help you decide, ExpressVPN offers an exclusive 7-day trial to iOS and Android users, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try it out, risk-free, and you won't be disappointed.

ExpressVPN can unblock:
  • Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, Sling TV, DAZN, and BBC iPlayer.

Supports torrenting:

  • Yes, all servers support P2P activity.

ExpressVPN works on these devices:

  • Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox. It also offers an app for use with certain routers.
ExpressVPN Offer March 2024: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off! Don't miss out!

2.CyberGhost

CyberGhost stands out as one of the most dependable and easy-to-use VPNs, designed with a straightforward interface. Recognizing that VPNs may be perplexing for beginners, this provider delivers a more simplified experience.

This doesn't mean CyberGhost has sacrificed speed or security. You get military-grade security and privacy tools on over 11,690 servers across the globe. Combined with unlimited bandwidth and traffic on up to 7 devices, you're guaranteed exceptional speed and safety anywhere you play.

CyberGhost offers the most generous trial periods, with a 45-day money-back guarantee on all devices, a 1-day on Android, and 7-day trial on iOS. Install it today and you'll see why real users give it so many great reviews.

CyberGhost can unblock:
  • Dedicated streaming profile with servers optimized for: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Hulu, Comedy Central, Eurosport, ESPN, and others.

Supports torrenting:

  • Yes; dedicated profile shows countries and number of users.

CyberGhost works on these devices:

  • Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick, Android TV, Linux, and Chrome.
March 2024 Deal: CyberGhost is currently offering 83% off its most popular plan! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost subscription.

3.PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has earned the title of the finest VPN for beginners. This service provides new users with a one-click setup feature along with the most responsive customer support in the industry.

If required, a live agent will assist you with the installation process, and within a few minutes, you'll be ready to commence using the service.

Simply connect to a high-speed server in 1 of over 63 countries and you can enjoy lightning-fast internet. In the background, PrivateVPN uses a suite of state-of-the-art privacy and security tools to keep you safe while you're hunting down Pokémon.

Our readers love PrivateVPN. You can see why with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

PrivateVPN can unblock:
  • Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

Supports torrenting:

  • Yes, all servers support P2P activity; list of P2P-optimized servers available through the app.

PrivateVPN works on these devices:

  • Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Summary

The popularity and growth of Pokémon Go continue to soar. With a staggering monthly player base of over 140 million individuals, the game shows no signs of slowing down, constantly evolving and improving.

Losing out on the excitement, advantages, and acknowledgment that accompany being a top-tier trainer due to the incapacity to reach the game is certainly undesirable. What's even more crucial is avoiding the unintentional exposure to illegal activities.

Install a VPN on your favorite Pokémon Go device, and you’ll never miss another battle. You’ll also enjoy a safer, faster, and more private internet experience overall. Take a risk-free test run on ExpressVPN and see the difference it makes today.

Further Reading

Pokémon Go isn't the only game that needs a VPN. If you play any online games, you need one. We've selected the 5 fastest VPNs for gaming on every console.

Interested to learn more about the many benefits of VPNs? We answer all your questions in our complete beginner's guide.

If you're still undecided which VPN is best for you, check out the best deals and coupon offers.

Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.

Visit ExpressVPN

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.